(19)

(11)

EP 0 833 677 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 08.04.1998 Bulletin 1998/15 (21) Application number: 96923355.0 (22) Date of filing: 19.06.1996

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  A61M 25/ 01( . ) A61M 25/ 098( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/US1996/010606 (87) International publication number: WO 1997/000705 (09.01.1997 Gazette 1997/03)

(84) Designated Contracting States: BE CH DE ES FR GB IE LI NL (30) Priority: 20.06.1995 US 19950492921 (71) Applicant: THE MICROSPRING COMPANY, INC. Norwell, MA 02061-1605 (US)	(72) Inventor: DOBSON, Paul, J. Hingham, MA 02043 (US) (74) Representative: Bayliss, Geoffrey Cyril, et al  BOULT WADE TENNANT, 27 Furnival Street London EC4A 1PQ London EC4A 1PQ (GB)